Jhoiakim king of Judah

Background and History: Smyrna

Smyrna is known today as “Izmir”, located in Turkey and as a major city with a population of approximately 300,000 habitants. It has an excellent harbor, import/export few items such as tobacco, grapes, cotton, figs, olive oil and other.

The original city was destroyed about B.C. 627, and was deserted and in ruins for four hundred years. Alexander the Great contemplated its restoration, and his design was carried out after his death. The new city was built a short distance south of the ancient one, and became the finest in Asia Minor, being known as thegloryofAsia. It was one of the cities which claimed the honor of being Homer’s birthplace. A splendid temple was erected by the Smyrnaeans to his memory, and a cave in the neighborhood of the city was shown where he was said to have composed his poems. Smyrna’s fine harbor made it a commercial center; but it was also distinguished for its schools of rhetoric and philosophy. Polycarp was the first bishop of its church, which suffered much from persecution, and he was said to have suffered martyrdom in the stadium of the city, A.D. 166. It is argued with some plausibility that Polycarp was bishop of Smyrna at the time of the composition of Revelation, and was the person addressed here. This question, however, is bound up with that of the date of composition (see Trench, “Epistles to the Seven Churches”). The city was a seat of the worship of Cybele the Mother of the gods, and of Dionysus or Bacchus.

Alyattes, the king of “Lydia”, successfully conquered it, putting an end to a history of two and one-half millennia. Alexander the Great, during the fourth century, put in charge one of his four generals to build in its place the most beautiful, well build and planned city in Ionia. The result was known as the “Flower of Ionia”. 27 B.C. Smyrna went under the Romans control and which became a great allied to the Romans during the Syrian/Mithridatic wars. From 27 B.C. to 324 A.D it was a powerful city with great material prosperity. From the years 178 A.D. throughout 180 A.D. suffered many seismic disturbances but always rebound from it.

Today, Smyrna (Izmir), is known as “The Paris of the Levant”. The richly embellishment of the temples and splendid buildings, in a perfect symmetry of those encircling “Mount Pagos” resulted in the title “the crown of Smyrna”.

Please Click on this link to be able to see a Map of what is today “Izmir” also known as Smyrna during Bible Times.

Religion

There is a legend that surround the origins of this great empire, and which it also has to do with their polytheistic believes. Never the less, the beginning of the Roman religious believes were “animistic” in character. Their believe were, everything that was around them and that inhabited the Earth had its own spirit or numen. They truly believe, they were watched over by their ancestors’ spirits called “genius” (for male) and “juno” (for female).

Early in their history due to the Sabine influence, the romans had as prominent gods the following:

Mars

The god of war

Vital role in the beginning of the Roman history.

In accordance with the legend of the foundation of Rome, he was the father of Romulus and Remus.

Quirinus

The god who watched over the people and government of Rome was the deified Romulus.

Jupiter

The leader of the gods

All the three gods were worshiped at the temple on the Capitoline Hill, which they were known as the Capitoline Triad. This Sabine influence did not replace the former believe but instead, they were added to their worship.

Later on the Monarchy period, the Etruscan influence was such, that the Capitoline triad underwent a transformation:

Jupiter still at the pinnacle of their religion.

Mars was replaced with Juno

Juno became the wife of Jupiter

Quirinus was replaced with Minerva

Minerva was the daughter of Jupiter and Juno

goddess of wisdom

Once the Greeks were settled on the South of the Italian peninsula, also influence their religious believes. These last influenced the Romans by giving to the Romans the power to create their mythology, and as a result, an eloquent and pictographic gamma of characters of Roman gods were borrowed from the Greek gods.

Examples of such are:

Roman godsGreek gods

Jupiter Zeus

Mars Ares

Minerva Athena

Apollo Apollo

This particular process on any culture in were the influence is operating this way is called “syncretism”, a distinctive nature displayed by the Romans gods vs the counterparts was the fact that they displayed a frugal nature. The believer’s faith was guided by a college of “pontiffs” (an assembly of the highest ranking priest in the Ancient Roman/does this sound familiar?). The highest among them was “pontifex maximus”, position hold by patricians until the third century B.C. a plebian Roman could hold such position. Also even though this position was a highly wholly spiritual function, there was later on politicized. A great example of this was Julius Caesar, whose was the pontifex maximus during the first Triumvirate.

Each god had their own temple, priest or flamines. While the college was task with the affairs of the gods, the flamines represented their particular deity. The most important priest represented the Capitoline Triad, there was an exception to the rule and that was the priestesses to Vesta, goddess of the hearth, all were men. The Vestal Virgins (as they were known) priestesses were ordered to remain celibate for the entire thirty years of service and their task was to keep the sacred fire of Vesta burning in the temple. Many privileges were given to them, among some, privilege to own properties, to vote, no longer under the control of their parents, highly regarded and a reason why many patrician families wished their daughters to be given the position. The title of Vestal Virgins were appointed by the pontifex maximus by a drawing lots. Some of the downsides of the Vestal Virgins were for example that if the priestess fail to remain celibate for any period of the thirty years of service the punishment was to be buried alive.

During the beginning of the Empire, the emperor were deified after death, but it was not until Julius Caesar that the emperor was deified during their terms and after him many others will follow, there were couple exceptions; Caligula and Nero.

Worship of the imperial cult became a commonplace and even many of the emperors believed to be themselves “gods”. Commodus, for example, believed to be Hercules himself, Diocletian found affinity with Jupiter. Never the less, the one who made himself to be placed in a statue in the Jewish temples around the Roman Empire was Caligula.

Christianity started as a marginal and persecuted sect, but ended up the official state religion. As the Christians grew in number and with the ability to influence the Emperor Constantine, convinced by the Christian teachings, Constantine marched into a battle with the banner of Christ, and with heavy odds against him and his army, won the battle and attributed to Christ the victory calling it a divine intervention.

Immediately after his victory, Constantine passed the “Edict of Milan”, professing tolerance toward Christians and their believes. He ended baptized and the majority of his successors were Christians. Julian was an exception to that rule, trying to reinstate the traditional Roman gods, but with no much result. It was not but until 380 A.D. that Christianity became the State Religion.

During the month of December (December Saturnalia), on what is known as the “Via Sacra” (Sacred Way), passage that runs from the Coliseum, the Capitoline Hill (Capitoline Triad Temple Location) and Temple of Jupiter, marches and religious festivals took place.

Up to now is a brief view of the religious practices of the Roman Empire during the first, second and portion of the third centuries.

Let’s start with the Biblical passage for our delight, which is located in the 2nd Chapter of the Book of Revelation verses 8-11. Keep in mind I am using the Literate Translation which you will be able to find by downloading e-Sword program ( www.e-Sword.org ) which is a great tool for Bible Studies and is totally free of charge.

(Rev 2:8) And to the angel of the assembly of Smyrna, write: These things says the First and the Last, Who became dead, and lived:

Once again we can see how the Lord Jesus Christ appointed the angel to take the message to the assembly of Smyrna. This is indicative that there is always a particular messenger for the plan of God in our lives. This particular messenger knows the target in question and understand the all details regarding the assembly of Smyrna.

“These things says the First and the Last”… Please pay attention to the way the Lord uses the first word in the sentences, which is in a plural manner. It is indicating to us, the multiple things the Lord sees in our lives that many times we have no idea of them. Immediately after it is brought up one of the names that our Lord is known by: and these can be read in four more locations in the Bible:

Isa 41:4

Rev 1:11

Rev 1:17

Rev 2:8

Rev 22:13

It is not until the Book of revelation that this particular Name of God is used in Capital Letters (this could be observed if you use the LIT Translation vs the KJV).

Another portion that is curious to observe in the verse the use of …”Who became dead, and lived:”… By using this particular name, God Himself becomes a witness of His selfish act in the Cross for all mankind.

As you continue reading this passage, you can’t stop noticing the theme of “death” in the letter.

As you know the word “Smyrna” means “Myrrh” which is a spice used to either preserve the bodies after death and as an aromatic spice, which is what normally we know about it. Never the less, there is a passage in Genesis 37:25 that mention specifically this spice and is in relation to the narrative of Joseph son of Jacob.

Also in Exodus 30:23 it is mentioned to be included as part of the group of species and other ointments to be use for the anointing of the tabernacle, the ark of the testimony, the table and vessels, the altar of incense and the altar of burnt offering with vessels, the laver and his foot, also Aaron and his sons. Such anointed group of spices and oils was going to be presented to the children of Israel as a holy anointing oil throughout the generations.

In Esther 2:12 you can see the use of Myrrh in the anointing of the royal queen before to be presented to the king.

Myrrh is also found in the Bible as one of the three gifts the wise men presented to the Christ Child, according to the gospel of Matthew. According to the gospel of Mark, Jesus was offered wine and myrrh before the crucifixion.

In Isaiah 60:6 expressed the Word of God that will be given presents to the Lord Jesus during the millennium but among the gifts presented to Him one will be out of the equation, and that is “myrrh”. Myrrh was representative of the pain and suffering of our Lord as a human on this earth, but that will be all behind Him once He entered the millennium and after.

(Rev 2:9) I know your works, and the affliction, and the poverty; but you are rich. And I know the evil speaking of those saying themselves to be Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

The Lord in verse 9 started to give the commendations of the assembly of Smyrna. The Lord started by saying to the assembly:

As I have read this particular section of the verse, my head started spinning in questions about why is this said here by the Lord? There is also an important point that we must remember, the Lord was very straight and clear to the adversary and his followers, and He never deviated.

If we read John chapter 8, we will noticed the level of tension that existed among Jesus and the so called “religious leaders of the Jews”, in particular in verse 18 and 19.

In John 8:19 the religious leaders asked the Lord … (Joh 8:19) Then they said to Him, Where is your father? Jesus answered, You neither know Me, nor My Father. If you had known Me, then you also would have known My Father.

In the above phrase in Bold/Italic/Underline format they were trying to tell Jesus that He (Jesus) was a “Bastard” (this is what is known today as a sarcasm). The below verses demonstrate how intense was the tension, and when you read these verse read it as if you were a Jew…

(Joh 8:39) They answered and said to Him, Abraham is our father (here is the second time in this chapter they said to Jesus in an indirect way that He was a “Fatherless Child” (Bastard)). Jesus said to them, If you were children of Abraham, you would do the works of Abraham.

(Joh 8:40) But now you seek to kill Me, a man who has spoken the truth to you, which I heard alongside of Abraham did not do this.

(Joh 8:41) You do the works of your father. They said to Him, We were not born of fornication; we have one father, God (This is the third time in this chapter they indicated to the Lord that “He” (Our Lord Jesus) was a “Bastard”).

(Joh 8:42) Then Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I went forth and have come from God. For I have not come from Myself, but that One sent Me.

(Joh 8:43) Why do you not know My speech? It is because you are not able to hear My Word.

(Joh 8:44) You are of the Devil as father, and the lusts of your father you desire to do. That one was a murderer from the beginning, and he has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own, because he is a liar, and the father of it.

(Rev 2:10) Do not at all fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw you into prison, so that you may be tried; and you will have affliction ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

We as Christians know that it is very difficult to be a “Follower of the Way” (as we used to be known before the term Christians came about). We must pray for those that persecute us, forgive those that torment us and bless those that curse us, right? Of course we must. But there is also a reminder from the Lord that no matter what we will go thru in life, He will never leave us nor forsake us.

1Ki_8:57 Jehovah our God is with us as He has been with our fathers; He shall not forsake us or leave us,

Also in this particular verse there is an important part that many believers omit as they read this passage, that is the reality of a an accuser that is always ready to point his fingers at us just to make our lives a “living hell”, he is called the devil. This part on this particular verse can’t and most not be confused with the part of the “Great Tribulation”, this part of the verse is what we will see on a daily basis just for been part of the “Special Elite Unit” called “Christians” or “Follower of the Way”. One way or another, there is no doubt that the Lord never leaves us nor forsake us, read below:

Heb_13:5Set your way of life without money-loving, being satisfied with present things; for He has said, “Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you,” never! Deut. 31:6

Another part on this verse that strike me is the fact that the Lord advised of ten days of afflictions. These ten days put me to think, why the Lord mentioned those ten days in a specific manner? If we go back in history, we will be able to notice that between the End of the First Century and all away to the end of the Second Century there were a total of ten Roman Emperors. Let see them one by one in a list:

Name

Succession

Reign / AD

Time in Office

Trajan Caesar Marcvs Vlpivs Nerva Traianvs Avgvstvs

Adopted and Heir of Nerva

Jan/98 – Aug/117

19 yrs 7 mths

Hadrian Caesar Pvblivs Aelivs Traianvs Hadrianvs Avgvstvs

Adopted and Heir of Trajan

Aug/117 – Jul/138

21 yrs

Antoninus Pius Caesar Titvs Aelivs Hadrianvs Antoninvs Avgvstvs Pivs

Adopted and Heir of Hadrian

Jul/138 – Mar/161

22yrs 7 mths

Marcus Aurelius Caesar Marcvs Avrelivs Antoninvs Avgvstvs

Adopted son/son-in-law and Heir of Antoninus Pius and

Co-Emperor with Lucius Verus until 169

Mar/161 – Mar/180

19 yrs

Lucius Verus Caesar Lvcivs Avrelivs Vervs Avgvstvs

Adopted son Heir of Antoninus Pius and son-in-lawof Marcus Aurelius; Co-Emperor with Marcus Aurelius until his death

Mar/161 – Mar/169

8 yrs

Commodus Caesar Marcvs Avrelivs Commodvs Antoninvs Avgvstvs

Natural son of Marcus Aurelius; Co-Emperor from 177

?/177 – Dec/192

15 yrs

Pertinax Caesar Pvblivs Helvivs Pertinax Avgvstvs

Proclaimed by the Praetorian Guard

Jan/193 – Mar/193

3 mths

Didius Julianus Caesar Marcvs Didivs Severvs Ivlianvs Avgvstvs

Won auction by the Praetorian Guard for the position of Emperor

Mar/193 – Jun/193

2 mths – 4 days

(65 Days)

Septimius Severus Caesar Lvcivs Septimivs Severvs Pertinax Avgvstvs

Seized power with the Support of the Pannonian Legions

Apr/193 – Feb/211

17 yrs 10 mths

Caracalla Caesar Marcvs Avrelivs Severvs Antoninvs Pivs Avgvstvs

Son of Septimius Severus; Co-Emperor with Severus from 198; with Severus and Geta from 209 until Feb 211; Co-Emperor with Geta until Dec 211

(Rev 2:11) The one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. The one overcoming will not at all be hurt by the second death.

As it was with the first assembly, the Lord tells us to pay attention to this message of this assembly, because it is not particular to them but to all of the believers in Christ. Also it important to say that the affirmation of the Lord by explicitly saying this message is through the Holy Spirit, this is visible because the word “Spirit” is in Capital letter “S” indicative of the Third Person of the Trinity of God.

The last but not the least point to talk about is how the Lord indicates to the one overcoming this particular time will not be hurt by the second death and you might ask; what is the second death? The Bible gives us the answer and here it is:

Rev_20:6 Blessed and holy is the one having part in the first resurrection. The second death has no authority over these, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years.

Rev_20:14 And death and hell were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death.

Rev_21:8 But for the cowardly and unbelieving, and those having become foul, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all the lying ones, their part will be in the Lake burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

Remember always to Pray to the Lord before and after of your Bible Study for His guidance, knowledge, wisdom and understanding on the Word and God Bless You.

As a Review and for our benefit we will bring some important details we already cover on Chapter 1 of the Book of Revelation, and these are the following:

This is the only Book on the Bible that promise a Blessing to the “Reader” and also to the “Hearers”, see the following verse;

Rev 1:3

Blessed is the one reading, and those hearing the Words of this prophecy, and keeping the things having been written; for the time is near.

The Book of Revelation is a Prophetic Book, read the below verse;

Rev 1:3

Blessed is the one reading, and those hearing the Words of this prophecy, and keeping the things having been written; for the time is near.

For this blessing to take effect of the prophetic Book of Revelation, we must keep the things having been written, read the verse below please;

Rev 1:3

Blessed is the one reading, and those hearing the Words of this prophecy, and keeping the things having been written; for the time is near.

All these is because one reason and one reason only for the “Follower of the WAY” (The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ), … for the time is near …

It is also very important to mention that the Book of Revelation is the only Book that has what is called the “Divine Outline of the Book”. This particular point can be seen in the following verse:

Rev 1:19

(19) Write what things you saw, and what things are, and what things are about to occur after these things.

…things you saw… This is use in a past sentence indicative of all the Apostle John saw in chapter one of the Book of Revelation.

…things are… This is use in a present way, indicative of what the Apostle witness and saw in chapters 2 and 3, which is in relation to the Seven Assemblies in the area of Asia Manor which is known today as “Turkey”

… things are about to occur after these things… (meta tauta) This is expressed in a future sentence. This is indicative of the future events once the events on chapter 1 and chapter 2 and 3 (the Seven Assemblies will go through their lives as followers and believers of the Gospel of the Lord) will take place. This also could be seen in the following verse:

Rev 4:1 LITV

After these things I saw. And behold, a door being opened in Heaven! And I heard the first voice as a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you what needs to happen after these things.

If we are capable to put this in perspective for everyone to see it in a visual way, just imagine a straight time line in where there is the Book of Revelation displayed in chapters by numbers and cause of time base on events of “past”, “present” and “future events”, this time line will look like this:

It is very important for us to bring to your attention the fact that in chapter 1 verse 4 it is mentioned the Holy Trinity of GOD, let’s see it:

Rev 1:4 LITV

(4) John to the seven assemblies in Asia: Grace to you, and peace, from the One who is, and who was, and who is coming, and from the seven spirits which are before His throne;

It does mentioned God Almighty when is referring to … His throne…

The Lord Jesus as …the One who is, who was, and who is coming…

o This could be validated by the Gospel of John chapter 1 verses 1 and 2:

Joh 1:1-2 LITV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

The Holy Spirit when it does mentioned … the seven spirits which are before His throne…

o Read the following verse;

Isa 11:2 LITV

And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest on Him; He will have the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and power, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.

These are known as the seven manifestations of the Holy Spirit (count the underline description on the above verse)

Continuing our journey to the beginning of the Seven Assemblies (Revelation chapters 2-3) is very important to notice the Seven Assemblies during these two chapters in Revelation mentioned, unless you are in deep knowledge of the Asia Manor area and or the Middle Eastern history, you otherwise will not know these assemblies. The question remain of, Why these particular assemblies? Why more important assemblies of their time are not mentioned? Such assemblies are the assembly of Antioch (Paul’s headquarters assemblies), the assembly of Jerusalem, the assembly of Corinth and so on. The question remains, why?

The Bible (The Word of GOD) is a collection of 66 Books written by more than 40 Authors with different backgrounds, written in 3 different languages, through a time of approximately 1500 years with a divine engineering precision in where everything has a meaning and a time. For the Followers of the Way (Jesus Christ or Lord) means that the Bible is without a doubt the Word of GOD and has a Divine Authority.

Understanding this is why the question of “why these seven assemblies” in particular and not other assembly were chosen but these. Let’s make reference to our Seven Assemblies Map in a PDF File to refresh our memories on their location. (Seven Assemblies Map).

These seven assemblies were real geographical locations of temples and assemblies of the time.

As warning or reprimand to all the assemblies, in fact the seven letters applied to all the seven assemblies. Read the following verse:

Rev 1:11 LITV

(11) saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last; also, What you see, write in a scroll, and send to the seven assemblies of Asia: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

This also could be taken as a personal advised (homiletic) in order for the believer to keep him/her in the right track of the Word of God and keeping the things having been written because the “time is near”.

Rev 2:7 LITV

(7) The one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. …

There is one important point of view that could very well, and in my personal and humble opinion, is the strongest of all the points mentioned, which is from a prophetic and historical point of view.

If you remember the Book of Acts is the last Book in the Bible that mentioned anything about the development and circumstances in were the assembly of the Lord went through from a historical view for about 30 years. There are some points that had been gathered with the Apostle’s epistles and letters, but many gaps exist. My believe is that these Seven Assemblies, and very specially due because the order in were they are mentioned in the Bible and only the order in were they are mentioned, tells us the rest of the story. These Seven assemblies are:

This is visual representation on a PDF File that will help you to understand the role and relation of the Dragon, the Beast out of the Sea and the Beast out of the Earth. Just Click on the link below for you to be able to see the file.

Before we start getting in depth of the Book of Revelation of the Bible, there are few simple things, we had either being indoctrinated wrongfully (in a volunteer manner or subconsciously allowing so), also in many occasions it has been a misunderstood of terms and or learned throughout generations and accepted without questions much less the repercussions of damages cause by such false interpretations. I like to make very clear to everyone who gives me the privileged to reach you, that the ultimate Word of Truth is the Lord GOD, also during our Bible Study I will be using the LITV Translation of the Word of GOD. Many are familiar with the KJV or derivatives, but whatever you choose please go on Prayer to the Lord before hands on.

Terms to make clear for our own understanding of the Book of Revelation are as follows:

John the Apostle

Son of Zebedee; younger brother of James; the beloved disciple of Christ, a relative of Annas the high priest, a son of Mary the sister of Barnabas, and surnamed Mark, the father of Simon Peter.

The name of the Book is the Book of “Revelation”

It is the only book in the New Testament that is essentially “Prophetic”.

It is call this way because the intention of the Book of Revelation is to “reveal” to humankind the “Only Begotten Son of GOD, Jesus Christ”’ as it is said in the following verse in the Gospel of John and at the first Chapter of the Book of revelation;

Joh 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone believing into Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Rev 1:1

A Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him to show to His slaves things which must occur quickly. And He signified by sending through His angel to His slave, John,

It is very important to notice, because many of “us”, have the tendency to call this Book “the Book of Revelations” with a plural “s” on its name; that this is far from the truth. The name of the Book is “The Book of Revelation” as a singular unit and not a plural unit. Read the below verse;

Rev 1:1-2

A Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him to show to His slaves things which must occur quickly. And He signified by sending through His angel to His slave, John,

who testified of the Word of God and the witness of Jesus Christ, even as many things as he saw.

In addition, the name of this Book and its meaning comes from the first word of the Book of Revelation itself, this is in the Greek language;

Total KJV occurrences: 18 (this is in Mathematical terms the expression of; 18= 3 x 6 or as you can see the number 666 which is also the number of the beast.)

This Book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ to humankind

Another term to defined before hand in a clear way are the following:

Jew – a member of the chosen people of GOD since the beginning of times and to whom the “Promise Land” was given. They are descendent of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (who later in his life was renamed by God Himself as Israel (Gen_32:28 And He said, Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, because you have wrestled with God and with men, and have prevailed.)).

A Jew is a member of the people and cultural community whose traditional religion is Judaism and who trace their origins through the ancient Hebrew people of Israel to Abraham.

Gentile – In accordance with the Bible this is a person that is not a member of any of the family of the 12 Tribes of Israel, and when a gentile was converted to Judaism, he was called a proselyte. Cornelius (Acts 10 – 11) was the first gentile of whom we have record who came into the Christian Church without first being a proselyte to Judaism. He was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ through a series of divine manifestations both to him and to Peter. Read below;

Act 10:1-2

But a certain man, Cornelius by name, was in Caesarea, a centurion of a cohort being called Italian, one devout and fearing God, with all his house, both doing many alms to the people and praying continually to God.

Under the New Testament the “gentile” is any man or woman that had not accepted the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is also known as a non-believer.

The Church – This is the “Body of Christ” and to which, each person (either a Jew and/or gentile) becomes a New Creature thru repentance of his/her sins and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as the “Only Begotten Son of GOD and Savior of his/her soul. Once this acknowledgement is taking place, the person is known as a “Followers of the Way”; noticed on the verses below how the word “Way” is spelled, with a capital “W” and in a singular subject…

Act_9:2 Saul asked from him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues, so that if he found any being of the Way, both men and women, having bound them he might bring them to Jerusalem.

Act_19:23 And about that time there was no little disturbance about the Way.

Act_24:14 But I confess this to you that according to the Way, which they say is a sect, so I worship the ancestral God believing all things according to that having been written in the Law and the Prophets,

The believers were later on called in the city of “Antioch” Christians. See the following;

Act_11:26 And finding him, he brought him to Antioch. And it happened that many of them were gathered to them in the assembly a whole year. And they taught a considerable crowd. And the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

In conclusion, what we will see as a purpose of the Book of Revelation is the “unveiling of the Lord Jesus Christ and what is going to be happening as a result of His unveiling”, once again please read verse one on chapter one of the Book of Revelation and you will see it very clear;

Rev 1:1

A Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him to show to His slaves things which must occur quickly. And He signified by sending through His angel to His slave, John,

Let’s see the importance of this verse on the introduction of this Book.

As we said before this is the “unveiling of the Lord Jesus Christ and the events that will take place after such unveiling”.

Noticed the word at the end of this sentence in the verse that we are reading; “…occur quickly…”, this particular phrase is to give to the reader the extreme and most emotional feeling of urgency and readiness. In a way this phrase is an indicative of one event happening over the other without the receiver of such acts gets any opportunity of rest (+ quickly, + shortly, + speedily).

Noticed also in this verse how it is important the job of the angels in the lives of the followers of the Lord. God gave the task to one of His angels to take through the spiritual world the message to His “slave” John.

The definition of the word slave;

A slave, bondman, man of servile condition

a slave

one who gives himself up to another’s will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men

devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests

a servant, attendant

Rev 1:2 who testified of the Word of God and the witness of Jesus Christ, even as many things as he saw.

This verse is the resume of John the Apostle and his achievement through his ministry. This is given not by the mouth of the Apostle but thru the declaration of the Holy Spirit in an indication of the Apostle’s dedication to the Lord’s will and desire, been the Apostle a “slave” of Jesus Christ. This is an important verse; here we see how the Lord sees each of our labor and us. Please let me make very clear, no action or doing will give to anyone without exception a free ride to Eternity, the gift of Eternity with the Lord is received by the acceptance of Him in our hearts as the only Savior of our lives. Never the less there is also important to know, once you make that step of acceptance of the Lord as your only Savior, there is in you as a Follower of the Way a responsibility to work in the field of the Gospel of the Lord by disseminating the Word of GOD, and those that accept the Word of GOD and repent thru Jesus, in you there is a responsibility to “discipleship” the lives of those new believers until they are capable to be ministers on their own in such fields as you are, and finally as a believer you must care for the needy, the widow and the orphan. See graphic below;

(3) Blessed is the one reading, and those hearing the Words of this prophecy, and keeping the things having been written; for the time is near.

Since my childhood I have heard many leaders/preachers/others making reference of this verse, but I must admit even when I, myself had done the same, there are not many of them that the reference allotted to such verse is either full or partially right. It is completely clear; the Book of Revelation is the only Book of the Bible that promise a blessing. But many times over, that blessing had been said it is for the reader of such Book, when in reality the blessing promised in this Book is not only to the reader but also to the hearers of the Book. The term “reader” is in a singular term, making an incredible and interesting point that must be seeing with the spiritual eyes of the Holy Spirit, every believer must work independently on the fields of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. Even when no labor will give you a free pass to Salvation / Eternity with the Lord (remember that such Gift is by Grace and Grace only), never the least, you and only you are responsible to disseminated the message of the Gospel, there will be many listening to what you saying, how you saying it, why you saying it… Most important is the fact that those who are listening will be blessed by the hearing and the hearing of the Word of GOD. Read the below verse:

1Th 2:13

(13) And because of this we give thanks to God without ceasing, that having received the Word of hearing from us, you welcomed it as of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also works in you, the ones believing.

There is an important warning given in this verse for those that are reading and/or hearing, which is, “you must keep the things having been written”. The things having been written are not only in the Book of Revelation but is indicative of the things written on the Word of GOD, this is very clear because the moment that is speaking to the reader and the hearers is does specifically stated, “…of this prophecy…” but this specification is not so then after. It does specifically gives another warning as an ultimatum, said that the “…time is near”.

Rev 1:4

(4) John to the seven assemblies in Asia: Grace to you, and peace, from the One who is, and who was, and who is coming, and from the seven spirits which are before His throne;

In verse 4 is very noticeable the speaker is changing, from the Holy Spirit to John the Apostle, from here on the Apostle is writing to the “seven assemblies in Asia”.

Before we continue with our study, once again we must establish the clarity of some terms of which, we as followers had been conditioned to accept without questioning neither their definitions nor their roots. These terms are as follow:

Assembly

G1577

ἐκκλησία

ekklēsia

ek-klay-see’-ah

a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly

an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating

the assembly of the Israelites

any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously in a Christian sense an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting

a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order’s sake

those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body

the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth

the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven Synonym : See Definition5897

from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):-assembly, church. see GREEK for 1537 see GREEK for 2564

Many versions of the Bible use in this verse the term “church” and even though, we (believers) have been told it is an acceptable translation of the term, there is my personal experience; such translation is far from it. If we look closely to the verse composition, it is simple to see the fact that it is talking not about a church, as we know it on today’s society (by this means a group of believers under a roof singing and listening a preacher exhortation/message), but instead about a “public gathering”. I like to make reference to “Early Church History by Verlyn D. Verbrugge; Zondervan Quick reference Library” in page 13 indicates that the public gathering of the “Followers of the Way” were mainly in homes and in some instances in synagogues as is it presumably due to the general believe of the time that Christianity was a sect from Judaism (this is paraphrasing the content). This took place around the end of the Second Century or even further into the beginning of the third century AD.

John continues with the normal salutation to the reader and hearers of the Book. During his salutation he (John) also included the name of the “One” and with that unique title he also address the different times and space known to man, past, present and future. John does it in a way in were the present is at the beginning of the statement, “from the One who is, and who was, and who is coming…” . This is due to the fact that God does not want his people to worry about their lives based on their past experiences, nor to worry about the future of them either. He (GOD) is the Only Living God and as is stated on his Word, He has everything under His care and plan for His people:

Heb_13:5 Set your way of life without money-loving, being satisfied with present things; for He has said, “Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you,” never! Deut. 31:6

When the Apostle refers to the “One”, the Holy Spirit is talking through John about the Lord Jesus Christ. Noticed how the term “One” is spelled out in the middle sentence, on a capital “O”, this is distinctive to a proper name. This proper name belongs to non other than the “Only Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ”. This particular observation also help you to understand the point of the Trilogy in GOD, but this just to mention it because that could be a study by itself.

[It is very important to indicates that in many translations, this is over looked (reason to such omission could be the translator effort to accommodating the text to the particular time of the reader to use the translation, or whatever reason might be), it is clear this is omitted in many translations. If that is the case on your translation, please try to find an “LITV” translation of the Bible for your personal use. My advise to the serious Bible reader download e-Sword, here is the llink ( http://www.e-sword.net/ ). This is a great source for your Bible Study and has many translations in many languages to fit your needs and demand. Rick Meyers wrote it and it is my main source for my Bible Studies such at this one]. Let me demonstrate this to you by using the same verse but in different translations such as the “LITV”, the version used is inside the parenthesis, remember we are using the following verse “Rev. 1:4”. Do you notice the difference? :

(LEB) John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from the one who is and the one who was and the one who is coming, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,

(LITV) John to the seven assemblies in Asia: Grace to you, and peace, from the One who is, and who was, and who is coming, and from the seven spirits which are before His throne;

(MKJV) John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is coming; and from the seven spirits which are before His throne;

(Murdock) John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and quietude, from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Let’s continue our Bible Study on “Rev 1:4”:

Rev 1:4

(4) John to the seven assemblies in Asia: Grace to you, and peace, from the One who is, and who was, and who is coming, and from the seven spirits which are before His throne;

I like to bring your attention to the rest of the verse, which non-the less is as interesting as the rest, “…and from the seven spirits which are before His throne…”, on this particular expression many believers/leaders/preachers/and what not, many even do not even talk about it, but those that do so think this is referring to the seven angels of the seven assemblies and just a few know this is actually talking about the “Third Person of the Trilogy, The Holy Spirit”. J. Vaughan, Fifty Sermons, 8th series, p. 156. Also makes this observation in regard to this point. We should look the following verse in the Book of Isaiah:

Isa 11:1-2

(1) And a Shoot goes out from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch will bear fruit out of his roots.

(2) And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest on Him; He will have the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and power, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.

Here the Scripture is talking about the Lord Jesus Christ, but interesting enough, in verse 2 indicates several qualities, which also are known as the “seven manifestations of the Holy Spirit”. Let’s see them all in a simple lay out:

…The Spirit of Jehovah shall rest on Him…

…The Spirit of Wisdom…

…The Spirit of understanding…

…The Spirit of Counsel…

…The Spirit of Power…

…The Spirit of Knowledge…

…The Spirit of Fear of Jehovah…

This was the way the Holy Spirit was known before the “Grace” or “Redemption thru the Blood of Jesus on the Cross”. Noticed in “Rev 1:4” also indicates that these “seven spirit are before His throne” which is also a very clear indication of the seven manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

Another observation I like to make, is the fact that many believers/preachers/leaders/and what not, they think the number 7 is the number of perfection or a divine number, but not so. The number seven “7” is the number of completion, for example:

Seven days of creation

Seventh day was the day God rested

Seven Angels and Trumpets

Seven Seals

Seven assemblies

Seven stars

And so on, as you see, you as a believer might come to the conclusion that the number seven is “divine” in nature, but read the below verse and you will notice it is not so, but instead, the meaning of “completion”, let see these verses;

Rev_12:3 And another sign was seen in the heavens. And, behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns! And on his heads were seven diadems,

Rev_13:1 And I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten diadems, and on its heads names of blasphemy.

I am sure you will agree with me that the number seven is not a divine number but instead a number of completions, we might say perfection, and whether is Heavenly inspired or not.

Rev 1:5-6

(5) even from Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness, the First-born out of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him loving us and washing us from our sins by His blood,

(6) and made us kings and priests to God, even His Father. To Him is the glory and the might forever and ever. Amen.

On verse 5 The Holy Spirit through John the Apostle, is recognizing some titles that our Lord Jesus is entitle to, let’s see them one by one:

1) The Faithful Witness

Isa_55:4 Behold, I gave Him a Witness to peoples, a Leader and Commander of peoples.

3Jn_1:12 Witness has been borne to Demetrius by all, and by the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our witness is true.

Rev_3:14 And to the angel of the assembly of Laodicea, write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of the creation of God:

2) The First-born out of the dead

Col_1:18 And He is the Head of the body, the assembly, who is the Beginning, the First-born out of the dead, that He be preeminent in all things;

3) The Ruler of the kings of the earth

Dan_8:25 And also through his skill he will make deceit succeed in his land. And he will lift himself up in his heart, and be at ease; he shall destroy many. He shall also stand up against the Ruler of rulers, but he shall be shattered without a hand.

He Loves us and washed us from our sins, verse 5 could be seeing in the following verse:

1) Joh 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone believing into Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2) Rom_3:25

whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith in His blood, as a demonstration of His righteousness through the passing over of the sins that had taken place before, in the forbearance of God,

3) Rom_5:9

Much more then, being justified now by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath through Him.

Verse 6 said that we are made kings and priests to God, let see that in the following verses:

1) Rev_5:10

and made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign over the earth.

Rev 1:7

(7) “Behold, He comes with the clouds,” and “every eye will see Him, and the ones who pierced” Him, and all the tribes of the earth “will wail on account of Him.” Yes, Amen. Dan. 7:13; Zech. 12:10

It is without a doubt, the one who is the subject in this verse is the Lord Jesus Christ, but before we start to see how and why He is coming with clouds, there is a great deal to remember that He also left with clouds, let see that in the following verse;

Act_1:9

And saying these things, as they looked on, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him from their sight

So what better way to coming back but the same way He was taken, brought up by the clouds:

Luk_21:27

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and much glory. Dan. 7:13

Jesus Christ Himself sited the above verse and He is not a liar…

On verse 7 there is a portion that many, in today’s generation, think they know exactly what it mean:

…“every eye will see Him, and the ones who pierced” Him, and all the tribes of the earth “will wail on account of Him.” Yes, Amen.

Young generation can’t understand their lives without what is call “world wide web”, this is what allowed anyone on one part the world to connect with anyone around the other part of the world, whether is by video/text/or any other media created with such purpose. Having this in mind, many think what the Bible is referring to in this portion is about such capabilities. It might be so, but to be honest, I really doubt it. The human mind is so limited specially in regard to the spiritual world in were God, as in every dimension, is the One who control every wave and every thing that in such dimensions exist. Please remember that for God, there is not such thing as Time/Space/Matter etc.

Please read the below verse:

Eph 3:18

that you may be given strength to grasp, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and depth and height,

Is quite difficult to put this image in perspective, but I will do my best to help you to see such incredible image of a man given him/herself to what I call “The Fourth Dimensional Model of a Man of GOD”. Please understand that God is not limited to any dimension at all, or to any number of dimensions for that matter, nor I am saying that God is either the fourth dimension or nothing of that nature, absolutely not. Here is a simple graphic to illustrate visually the four dimensions that the Apostle Paul is referring to:

( Here is what is call a “Tesarrac”, which is a square in a fourth-dimensional level.)

This image above described, will help you appreciate how a Christian is when he /she has a personal relationship with the Lord. Nothing will pull you out of Him…

In other words, the man that is dedicated to God and God’s work, nothing else is either in or out that will pull him/her from the magnificent power of His Grace.

Going back to our point on verse 7 that said the following; ““…“every eye will see Him, and the ones who pierced” Him, and all the tribes of the earth “will wail on account of Him.” Yes, Amen.”. This particular verse is an incredible statement of power from our God and Lord, especially when mentioned in a very specific way those who pierced Him. See that the statement is not to the future generations only, but to all generations and all humankind. The very dramatic and descriptive way in were the Holy Spirit through John the apostle express, “all the tribes of the earth will wail”… This action of wailing is a painful deep rooted to the core of the bone scream.

Rev 1:8

(8) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, says the Lord, the One who is, and who was, and who is coming, the Almighty.

This verse is always brought up by many preachers/leaders/ministers/believers you name it, but it is interesting to know that in accordance with the Hebrew customs the name of Yahweh could not even being pronounce (there were no vowels capable to give a sound), could not either to be written, it was against the Hebrew customs. Also there was a particular custom when the “scribes” were writing the Word of God the name of God, “Elohym” was written with the first letter of their alphabet (א ) (Alef) and last letter (ת) (Tav) at the end of the name indicative of the beginning and the end, but when it was translated in the Greek Language there was no letter such as (ת) so they used their last letter on the Greek Alphabet which is Omega (W/w). The name of Elohim is the name given to God Himself as the Creator of all, but the Name “YHWH” is when the God of Israel is closest to the humankind in demonstrating His attributes of kindness and love toward His creation/the humankind. There was so until God came as the form of Christ the Savior. Let’s see Rev 21:6 in different translations to demonstrate my point:

Rev 21:6

(6) And He said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the Ending. To the one thirsting, I will freely give of the fountain of the Water of Life.

In the verses above, I like to show you that even when in many translations this verse of Revelation 21:6 has the letters Alpha and Omega spelled out, they are not in the originals. When it does talks about the Alpha and the Omega, there is a beginning already known from point a to point z (speaking in a figurative point of view), in other words, we know all about the beginning on the Word of God, the letter (A/a) “Alpha” is spelled out in the original document in the Greek language (see this fantastic event in αλφαG1 N-LI above in the Greek translation), but when is concerning the Ending of Times as is written, because this event had not taking active action yet the symbol (W/w) appears in the Word of God on its original text and not spelled out as a word “Omega”, until the moment this events will take active and complete action by the Lord of lords Jesus Christ the Savior, then and only then will be spelled out.

Rev 1:9-10

(9) I, even your brother John, and co-sharer in the affliction, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, came to be in the island being called Patmos because of the Word of God, and because of the witness of Jesus Christ.

(10) I came to be in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

On verses 9 and 10 John the Apostle is given a clear cut declaration of his actions, making sure of his emotional and physical state of mind, indicating that there is not a mental or sycophantic disturbance, nor a physical debility nor anything other than his own human power and authority on his own recollections of vision and acts declared by him. He is also showing that he is in power of his own actions and that no one is in any way shape or form forcing him to make such statements of his vision. He also declared the location of this vision, the Island of Patmos. Interesting enough John said very clear the reason of him to be in such Island is due to his believes, of him to be a witness of the Lord and because of the Word of God.

During the Roman political power, it was considered an illegal act to declare anything to the public and even on privates meetings against the political power of the Roman engine, the ruler at the time of John the Apostle’s exile was the emperor “Domitian”. It was a normal practice to exile those who in one way or another were violators of such actions. Traditionally it is known that the apostle John was exile to the Island of Patmos due to his believes and predications of the Word of God (this is very clear in verse 9) it was in Patmos where the Apostle had his vision. This was one of three islands in the Sporades area. This is a very clear demonstration of the validity of the Word of God especially if you read the below verse:

Rom 8:28

But we know that to the ones loving God all things work together for good, to those being called according to purpose;

As you see, even when John the apostle was exile, the Lord used such circumstances to make His will and power noticed, not just in John’s life but transcending through the generations for us to be able to prepare for our encounter with the Lord.

Illustrated Map of the Patmos Island and the Seven Assemblies. PDF File. Double Click on this link.

Rev 1:11

(11) saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last; also, What you see, write in a scroll, and send to the seven assemblies of Asia: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

The beginning of this verse is a very powerful introduction of the Only Living God, noticed how God use something that the human mind can identified with as a point of departure, to a point of end, without using the word eternity. God is expressing the only limitation the humankind could relay to, that is “time”. God is not subject to time, nor limited to anything known to us, nor to anything not known by us, but because this is the best way in were the human mind can realized the power of the All Mighty, He Himself give that point as a point of reference to the humankind.

We already cover the reference to the Alpha (A/a) and to which we must add that the numerical value in the Greek alphabet of this letter is one (1) and coincidentally is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and the Omega (W/w) which is the letter number 24 in the Greek alphabet, but a numeric value of 800, the real direct translation to Omega is “The Great O”. You can always make reference to the earlier graphic of the fourth dimension of the man of God mentioned earlier.

The Lord continued commanding the apostle to write whatever he sees and most importantly to send it to the “Seven Assemblies of Asia”. Here is when things take a little bit of a turn. This particular turn will be seeing and analyzed by all of us in the next two chapters. Once we start to do so, I will respectfully suggest hanging in there because it could be a bumpy ride. For now I will like to mention these seven assemblies by name:

Ephesus

Smyrna

Pergamos

Thyatira

Sardis

Philadelphia

Laodicea

We will go into details in regard of why these seven assemblies and not any other, even when there bigger and more prominent assemblies in the area, such as the assembly of Antioch (the headquarter of Christianity) or for that matter the assembly of Jerusalem. Or you might ask why in the Asia area and not in Judea or anywhere else?

Seven Assemblies Map (By Clicking on this link you will be able to see the Seven assemblies and also the Patmos Island in where the Apostle John was exile. The arrows indicate the order in were the Lord mentioned the Assemblies by name.)

Rev 1:12-20

(12) And I turned to see the voice which spoke with me.

(13) And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, having been clothed to the feet, and having been girded with a golden girdle at the breasts.

(14) And the hairs of His head were white as white wool, as snow, and His eyes as a flame of fire;

(15) and His feet like burnished brass having been fired in a furnace; and His voice as a sound of many waters;

(16) and having in His right hand seven stars; and a sharp, two-edged sword proceeding out of His mouth, and His face shining as the sun in its power.

(17) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet, as dead. And He put His right hand on me, saying to me, Do not fear. I am the First and the Last,

(18) and the Living One; and I became dead; and, behold, I am living forever and ever. Amen. And I have the keys to hell, and of death.

(19) Write what things you saw, and what things are, and what things are about to occur after these things.

(20) The mystery of the seven stars which you saw on My right, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are angels of the seven assemblies, and the seven lampstands you saw are seven assemblies.

From 12 through the 20th verse there are many important points to speak about:

John the apostle is specifically expressing he hears an audible voice, to make sure that the readers understand this is not from his imagination.

The Apostle mentioned for the first time what he described as seven “lampstands”

These lampstands, as the Apostle described them, are made of gold.

The lampstand are the seven assemblies, one lampstand for each assembly. We know that the believer is the messenger of the “Light” which is Christ. See verse below:

Eph_5:8 for you then were darkness, but are now light in the Lord; walk as children of light.

Eph_5:13 But all things being exposed by the light are clearly revealed, for everything having been revealed is light.

Col_1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has made us fit for a share of the inheritance of the saints in light,

1Th_5:5 You are all sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night, nor of darkness.

1Ti_6:16 the only One having immortality, living in light that cannot be approached, whom no one of men saw, nor can see; to whom be honor and everlasting might. Amen.

2Ti_1:10 but now revealed through the appearance of our Savior, Jesus Christ, indeed making death of no effect, bringing life and incorruptibility to light through the gospel,

Each of us has the responsibility to give by grace what by grace we had received; we are the lampstand and not the light that shines through, so any lampstand could be replaced but not the light;

Act_20:24 But I make account of nothing, nor do I hold my life precious to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, fully to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

These lampstand were made of “Gold”

Gold Valued and used because of its rarity, beauty, and workability. It can be melted without harm and is extremely malleable. Thus it can be used for cast objects, inlays, or overlays.

These characteristics are the ones that should exist in every one who truly believes and is a “Follower of the Way” Jesus our Lord.

The Apostle also described what is known as “One like the Son of Man”, this is also the same description found in Daniel 7:1 and in Rev 14:14, let’s read the verses:

Dan_7:13 I was looking in the night visions. And behold! One like the Son of Man came with the clouds of the heavens. And He came to the Ancient of Days. And they brought Him near before Him.

Rev_14:14 And I saw; and behold, a white cloud and on the cloud One sitting like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.

John the Apostle is also describing the Lord in an amazing incredible way, with a great detail and power. It says He has “…seven stars in His right hand; and a sharp two-edge sword proceeding out of His mouth…”

The seven stars

These seven stars are angels of the seven assemblies, keep your eyes and ears open to the description that is given from the Lord to John the apostle of what the seven stars are, once again “…the seven stars are angels of the seven assemblies…”. We as readers normally start to assuming based on what we call common sense, this part of the description never stay that the seven stars are seven angels, one for each of the seven assemblies, and of course it might be so, but it also might be that they all work as a one when it comes to the assemblies, whether one worked on one assembly or all work on one assembly, not for me to know but one way or the other these are seven angels with a lot to deal with. Also there are many speculations about these particular angels to be the human leaders/pastors/ministers and so on, others think these angels are actually heavenly angels that work in favor of the assemblies during their ministry on earth, don’t know. I can’t tell now for sure because as the word of the Lord says:

1Co_13:12 For now we see through a mirror in dimness, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will fully know even as I also was fully known.

The Apostle also indicated of the two-edge sword coming out of His mouth, and we all know how Paul describes the Word of God:

Eph_6:17 Also, take “the helmet of salvation,” and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God; Isa. 59:17LXX-Isa. 11:4; MT-Isa. 49:2; LXX and MT-Hos. 6:5

Heb_4:12 For the Word of God is living, and powerfully working, and sharper than every two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of both soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge of the thoughts and intentions of the heart;

Isa 59:21

As for Me, this is My covenant with them, says Jehovah: My Spirit who is on you, and My Words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your seed, or out of the mouth of your seed’s seed, from now on and forever, says Jehovah.

Isa 11:4

But He shall judge the poor in righteousness, and shall decide rightly for the meek of the earth. And He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and He shall cause the wicked to die with the breath of His lip.

Isa 49:2

And He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand, and made Me a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver;

Hos 6:5

So I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the Words of My mouth; and your judgments have been as the light that goes forth.

If this Bible Study was helping you or any one that you know, please leave your comments and or send your email comments. Also disseminate this Bible Study to educate others. God Bless You and keep reading.

I must mention to all of you that we will be using an incredible software that anyone and everyone should and could download for free, created by Rick Meyers. I am also including the Website Link http://www.e-sword.net/; I am using the Literate Translation just because is the one that is more directly translated from the original writings with the exception of the “Septuagint” Translation which you will also find among the many selection (that you can download for free from e-Sword website). So lets start.

Dan 1:1 LITV

(1) In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah…

In Palestine the accession year of a king was counted as the first year of the reign. Daniel dates this from the point of view of the Babylonian, see also:

Jer 25:1 LITV

(1) The Word that was to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah. It was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

In terms of putting on perspective on time this is estimated to be 605B.C. Jehoiakim was the eldest of a godly king called Josiah and Pharaoh Nechoh made him king in place of his younger brother. He was a vassal to the Egyptian king for four years (609B.C. to 605B.C.) and to the Babylonian king then after. Jeremiah had being in the ministry for about 23 years asking to the people of God to change their ways or prepared to pay for their sins their consequences. But we must not forget that we are talking about Daniel, and during this event Daniel was a young child, well educated in every way.

So as the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar I (for the purposes of understanding this event and this Book we are going to call this king Nebuchadnezzar I, understand this is not the name that he is known historically) was on his war tour, he desire after conquering the empire of Egypt on the battle of Carchemish in May-June 605B.C., on his way back he besiege Judah. This was due to the important and strategic position of it in the known world at the time. Nebuchadnezzar I was not a Babylonian king yet, as son of Nabopolassar (at the time the real king of Babylonia), success after his dad’s dead and reigned for a total of 43 years in power. The captivity came because of Israel’s idolatry and failure to keep the sabbatical year of the land (please read 2nd Chronicles 36:14-21)

Dan 1:2 LITV

(2) And the Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god. And he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

Please notice in verse 2 how without the knowledge of the Babylonian king, God punished His people for their disobedience. There is also noticeable, how God give the vessels of the house of God to the king Nebuchadnezzar I. I always heard many preachers, religious leaders and many others always using this element for their emphasis of how God felt against the people of God, in a way does show such thing, but in my own personal opinion, I see it as if God really does not care for such simplicities and frivolous things, and so He God) let it go as an indication of Him being a God of no Physical temple, important element that made the God of Israel so unique in every way, especially when He Himself was without image. So the humiliation was not for God but for the people of Israel. Keep in mind that this is a point to study in a future Bible Study, especially as we know that “we are the temple of God” (please read 2Co_6:16 And what agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God, even as God said, “I will” dwell in them and “walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Lev. 26:12; Ezek. 37:27 ).

This event of Babylonia besiegingJudah is noticed in 2nd King chapter 24 and chapter 25.

Another point in this verse 2 is that is talking about the vassals being taken to the temple of their god in the city of Shinar.

See how Shinar became the city where the empire of Babylon was located after the flood.

Based on www.JewishEncyclopaedia.com Shinar was the Hebrew name of a land which included both Babylon and Erech, corresponding to North and Southern Babylon. Amraphel is identical with Hammurabi, also proves that Shinar included Northern Babylonia, making it very difficult to establish the original location.

Please read Gen 10:8-11 below;

Gen 10:8-11 LITV

(8) And Cush fathered Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the land.

(9) He was a mighty hunter before Jehovah; so it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before Jehovah.

(10) And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

(11) From that land he went forth to Assyria and built Nineveh, and Rehoboth the city, and Calah,

Also please read Gen 11:1-2

Gen 11:1-2 LITV

(1) And the whole earth was of one lip and of one speech.

(2) And it happened, as they pulled up stakes from the east, they found a level valley in the land of Shinar. And they lived there.

Babylonians worshipped more gods than one; there were Rach, Shach and Nego, from whom Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, are supposed to have their names given them by the Chaldeans, Dan_1:7. Rach is thought to be the sun, whose priests were called Rachiophantae, observers of the sun; Shach, to which Sheshach is referred by some, Jer_51:41, for which a feast was kept once a year for five days, when servants had the rule and government of their masters; and Nego either was worshipped for the sun, or some star, so called from its brightness. Venus was also had in veneration with the Babylonians, whom they called Mylitta; in whose temple many acts of uncleanness and filthiness were committed, as Herodotus (x) relates. And, besides these, there were Merodach, Nebo, and Bel; of which see Isa_46:1, the latter seems to have been their chief deity, and who was called Jupiter Belus; and with whom were the goddesses Juno and Rhea. And in the city of Babylon stood the temple of Bel, or Jupiter Belus, which was extant in the times of Herodotus, and of which he gives an account (y), and is this:

“the temple of Jupiter Belus had gates of brass; it was four hundred and forty yards on every side, and was foursquare. In the midst of the temple was a solid tower, two hundred and twenty yards in length and breadth; upon which another temple was placed, and so on to eight. The going up them was without, in a winding about each tower; as you went up, in the middle, there was a room, and seats to rest on. In the last tower was a large temple, in which was a large bed splendidly furnished, and a table of gold set by it; but there was no statue there; nor did any man lie there in the night; only one woman, a native of the place, whom the god chose from among them all, as the Chaldean priests of this deity say.”

Diodorus Siculus says (z) it was of an extraordinary height, where the Chaldeans made observations on the stars, and could take an exact view of the rise and setting of them; it was all made of brick and bitumen, at great cost and expense. Here the vessels of the sanctuary were brought by Nebuchadnezzar, to the praise and glory of his idols, as Jarchi and Jacchiades observe; to whom he imputed the victory he had obtained over the Jews.

Very probably this temple of the Babylonian god was the chapel Herodotus (a) speaks of, where was a large golden statue of Jupiter sitting, and a large golden table by it, and a golden throne and steps, reckoned by the Chaldeans at eight hundred talents of gold. And Diodorus Siculus (b) relates that there were three golden statues, of Jupiter, Juno, and Rhea. That of Jupiter was as one standing on his feet, and, as it were, walking, was forty feet in length, and weighed a thousand Babylonian talents (computed three millions and a half of our money). That of Rhea was of the same weight, sitting upon a throne of gold, and two lions standing at her knees; and near to them serpents of a prodigious size, made of silver, which weighed thirty talents. That of Juno was a standing statue, weighing eight hundred talents; in her right hand she held the head of a serpent, and in her left a sceptre set with precious stones; and there was a golden table, common to them all, forty feet long, fifteen broad, and of the weight of fifty talents. Moreover, there were two bowls of thirty talents, and as many censers of three hundred talents, and three cups of gold; that which was dedicated to Jupiter weighed a thousand two hundred Babylonian talents, and the other six hundred. Here all the rich things dedicated to their god were laid up, and here the king of Babylon brought the treasures and rich vessels he took out of the temple of Jerusalem; and to this agrees the testimony of Berosus (c), who says, that with the spoils of war Nebuchadnezzar took from the Jews and neighbouring nations, he adorned the temple of Belus. The riches of this temple, according to historians, are supposed to be above one and twenty millions sterling (d), even of those only which Diodorus Siculus gives an account of, as above.